DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-54,381

YKK (USA), INC.
OKMULGEE DIVISION
A SUBSIDIARY OF YKK AMERICA
MACON, GEORGIA

TA-W-54,381A

YKK (USA), INC.
CHESNEY DIVISION
A SUBSIDIARY OF YKK AMERICA
MACON, GEORGIA

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply For Worker Adjustment Assistance and
Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance

In accordance with Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19
USC 2273), as amended, the Department of Labor herein presents the
results of an investigation regarding certification of eligibility
to apply for worker adjustment assistance as a secondarily affected
worker group.
In order to make an affirmative determination and issue a
certification of eligibility for secondary workers to apply for
Trade Adjustment Assistance, the group eligibility requirements of
paragraph (b) of Section 222 of the Trade Act, as amended, must be
met. It is determined in this case that the requirements of (b) of
Section 222, as amended, have been met.
The investigation was initiated on March 1, 2004 in response
to a petition filed by a State agency representative on behalf of
workers at YKK (USA), Inc., Okmulgee Division (TA-W-54,381) and
Chesney Division (TA-W-54,381A), a subsidiary of YKK America,
Macon, Georgia. The workers of the subject firm produce zippers.
The investigation revealed that the YKK divisions subject of
this investigation are an integrated production process. Workers
at the Chesney Division are engaged in the first step in the
process of zipper production (e.g., making the yarn into which the
teeth and other parts are placed), sending all its products to the
Okmulgee Division. The Okmulgee facility is the last step in
production where all the components are assembled into zippers.
The investigation revealed that employment at the subject firm
declined absolutely during the period under investigation.
The investigation further revealed that the subject firm
supplied zippers to firms whose workers were certified eligible to
apply for adjustment assistance. The loss of business with these
firms contributed importantly to the workers separation.
In accordance with Section 246 the Trade Act of 1974 (26 USC
2813), as amended, the Department of Labor herein presents the
results of its investigation regarding certification of eligibility
to apply for alternative trade adjustment assistance (ATAA) for
older workers.
In order for the Department to issue a certification of
eligibility to apply for ATAA, the group eligibility requirements
of Section 246 of the Trade Act must be met. The Department has
determined in this case that the requirements of Section 246 have
been met.
A significant number of workers at the firm are age 50 or over
and possess skills that are not easily transferable. Competitive
conditions within the industry are adverse.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that the workers of YKK (USA), Inc.,
Okmulgee Division (TA-W-54,381) and Chesney Division (TA-W-
54,381A), a subsidiary of YKK America, Macon, Georgia, qualify as
adversely affected secondary workers under Section 222 of the Trade
Act of 1974, as amended. In accordance with the provisions of the
Act, I make the following certification:
"All workers of YKK (USA), Inc., Okmulgee Division (TA-W-
54,381) and Chesney Division (TA-W-54,381A), a subsidiary of
YKK America, Macon, Georgia, who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after March 1, 2003, through
two years from the date of certification are eligible to apply
for adjustment assistance under Section 223 of the Trade Act
of 1974, and to apply for alternative trade adjustment
assistance under Section 246 of the Trade Act of 1974."
Signed in Washington, D. C. this 5th day of May 2004.
/s/ Linda G. Poole

______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance